Mookie Betts lined a two-run double off the left-field wall with two outs in the ninth inning, capping a three-run rally that lifted the Boston Red Sox to a 5-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night.

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Cardinals rack up four runs in second (1:32)

David Schoenfield ESPN Senior Writer

The Cardinals implode in the bottom of the ninth as the Red Sox rally from an early 4-0 deficit to win on Mookie Betts' walk-off hit. The Cardinals have lost 10 games they led by 3+ runs, most in the NL, and they've lost 22 games they led by 2+, most in the majors.

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Red Sox fan's first pitch is a bit outside (0:18)

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Betts hits walk-off double (0:44)

Scott Lauber ESPN Staff Writer

Red Sox 5, Cardinals 4: Mookie Betts needed that. It has been a struggle since the All-Star break for last year's AL MVP runner-up. But down to his last strike with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning, Betts doubled off the Green Monster to drive in two runs and give the Red Sox a walkoff victory and a sweep of the two-game interleague series. Xander Bogaerts' leadoff homer started the three-run ninth inning that saw St. Louis manager Mike Matheny get ejected and catcher Yadier Molina spar with the umpires.

Xander Bogaerts had three hits, Hanley Ramirez, Sandy Leon and Jackie Bradley Jr. all added two RBI and the Boston Red Sox beat the St. Louis Cardinals 10-4 on Tuesday night.

Scott Lauber ESPN Staff Writer

Red Sox 10, Cardinals 4: Talk about a good old-fashioned rally. Thirteen Red Sox batters came to the plate and 10 in a row reached base during an eight-run fifth inning that featured no home runs, only the offensive efficiency of an assembly line. In winning for the 11th time in 13 games Tuesday night, the Red Sox churned out 15 hits. Xander Bogaerts finished with three hits, while Eduardo Nunez, Hanley Ramirez, Rafael Devers and Mitch Moreland had two apiece.

The postgame handshake line is a time-tested symbol of sportsmanship. And while it's common in other pro leagues, pressing palms with the opponent is all but prohibited in the majors. Still, there's a chance that could change Sunday in Williamsport.

Bernie Miklasz of 101 ESPN dives into the St. Louis Cardinals' starting rotation and knows they'll need to hold steady if they're going to make a run at the NL Central title.

ESPN Stats & Information

NL Central race heats up

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The Cubs exploded out of the gate in the second half to take the lead in the NL Central, but the red-hot Cardinals have made it tight atop the division over the past couple weeks. Chicago (.468 opponent winning percentage) and St. Louis (.475) have the second- and third-easiest remaining schedules, per ESPN Stats & Info.